Chapter 2 two

We all enter and start fixing things. The tables were still empty and the bar had no liquor. My mother assigns me the task of fixing the tables, handing me four enormous boxes. Inside of them were the centerpieces, more beautiful than I had ever seen, identification cards, cutlery, and many more things to decorate the tables, including gifts for each of the people that would represent this nucleus. But, isn't it supposed that if you get married, you should receive gifts? Why give gifts to others? I didn't understand anything, but I wouldn't ask either.

I move quickly throughout the place, as if I knew it. The truth is that it was my first time here, but I had to help my mother. It was almost time and there was still a lot to do. I check the list and see that all the numbers match with the tables and guests.

I finish organizing the cutlery by sizes and types. I had never imagined that there were four types of spoons and each one was for a different use. I had never seen such craziness. For me, the soup spoon was the same one we used for everything, even to grab the sugar. This cutlery thing was too much showiness.

I move on from the tables, which were a hundred and twenty in total, I pass by the bar and start arranging the bottles by colors and sizes. There were beers of all types and colors. I suppose they had been exported from other countries, because there was one called Corona, it said it was made in the Republic of Colombia. There was also one with a black bottle called Polar, brought from Venezuela. When I finish arranging everything in the bar, my mother calls me.

"Darling, I need you to come with me to the kitchen and help me with the savory snacks," my mother says, guiding me to the kitchen. The place was marvelous. There were about ten or more chefs, I didn't have time to count them, because they were all running from one side to another. There was all kinds of food and main dishes. One of the trays was filled with seafood and things from the sea, accompanied by canapés. It looked quite disgusting. Don't take it the wrong way, but the truth is that I hated everything that came from the sea.

My mother takes me to the frying area. The oil and lard they used for frying seemed to be quite new. They didn't use anything recycled, so I suppose that whatever is left over can be taken by the staff.

"Daughter, pay attention. I need you to help me fry these cheese balls and these meat empanadas. You must not let them burn or break. The people attending this party are quite wealthy and they don't like mistakes. You know that we all eat with our eyes," she says, giving me instructions.

"Perfect, mother, no problem. I'll do my best," I say, getting to work.

I take my time to separate each ball, making sure they don't break or that the cheese isn't exposed. I didn't want any problems, much less to cause them to my mother. I start frying a lot of them. It has been about two hours and I'm still on this task. It's very difficult, it's not what people think. When I'm about to give up, a boy enters and stares at me.

"Hello, can I help you with something?" I ask while looking at him fixedly.

"Hello, I just..." but I don't let him finish because my dear balls are burning.

"Oh, shit! Mom is going to kill me. I can't let them burn," I say nervously, while I start taking out the balls, but two hands weren't enough. I was losing the battle. The oil wanted to win.

"I'll help you, come here," he says, taking the utensil to remove the balls from my hands.

The boy is very skilled with his hands. He starts taking out the balls with expertise and care. His body moves from side to side, making my eyes fly from one side to another uncontrollably. I watch him fry a new batch and leave them perfectly cooked. This goes on for a long time. When I finally realize it, he is already with the empanadas. I don't realize what he's doing until he starts talking to me.

"You have to lower the flame a little, beautiful, or everything will burn and the owners of the party will get angry. They are a bunch of stuck-up assholes," he says, smiling. His comment makes me laugh, but I don't reply.

"Come, I'll show you the trick. It's all in the turn," he says. I approach him and he takes my hand, giving me the utensil. He grabs my wrist and shows me how to do it. Our gazes meet and I can see something that I don't know how to describe in his eyes. He was one of those free-spirited guys. His eyes were as transparent as the ocean. When he realizes my gaze, he puts some distance between us.

"I think you already learned, so I should go," the boy says, trying to run away from me.

"Wait! Do you work with my mother's team? I didn't see you with the other guys," I ask.

"No, I'm from another group. I have to go," he says, saying goodbye to me, but before leaving he turns back and gives me a kiss on the cheek, then he disappears, leaving me as red as an apple. It's not that no one has given me a little kiss, but this boy was special. The simple touch of his lips had made me feel in an inexplicable way. It was like feeling a stampede of horses inside my stomach.

After one more terrible hour frying these things, thankfully I finish doing it very well. I leave the kitchen drenched in sweat. A cool breeze refreshes my face. I close my eyes to feel the freshness. I liked the fresh and cool atmosphere. I hated the heat. I could even say that rainy days were my favorites. I search for my mother all around the place but I can't find her until one of the boys tells me that she's in the kitchen, in the dessert area. I go on a search for her and I see her giving the final touch to a beautiful and huge cake. It had about twelve tiers and it was white with a chocolate waterfall. The bride and groom were made of white chocolate. The truth was that it was quite impressive.

"How does it look?" she asks seriously.

"It's beautiful, mom. When I get married, I want an identical one," I say smiling.

"That will be the case, daughter, but you'll have to find a good match. We only get married once. You know I'm one of those who thinks that love is found only once in life," she says, giving the final touch to the chocolate bride.